Status Updates From Chasing Vengeance (Redempti...

His life had been hollow before her, without any color, and she’d changed the landscape of his entire being. She was his everything now. And he was going to spend the rest of his life proving to her that she’d made the right choice with him.

“You will marry that girl.” His abuela’s words were an order as soon as the door shut behind Layla. “If she will have me.” “I’m sure she will. She’s been sick with worry. Refused to leave that seat. And she only ate because I brought her food. And even then she barely touched it. I had to force her.”

Gage is going to be tearing apart their lives to see if anyone else was involved, but if not, you’ll be free to return to life as normal.” “Will my life include you?” she asked boldly. He choked on his coffee for a moment as he set the mug down. “You’re just getting right to it, aren’t you?”

“I hate all of this,” she said quietly. Okay, so she might not beg, but she was going to be honest about how this made her feel. “I do too,” he said. But he didn’t say he’d changed his mind, that he’d been a fool to think he could walk away from her. Nope, he didn’t say anything at all. And that was answer enough for her. It hurt.

“I can see the wheels turning in your head right now. Layla is fine. Xavier will keep her safe. We all talked about it. He would literally take a bullet for her and he won’t be distracted—she’s his number one priority. Her being with him is a good thing.” “It would still be better if I could talk to her,” Nova muttered. “Agreed. But you can’t, so focus on what you can do for her.”

He knocked on the door once and left, hoping she would take the offering. He might not be able to give her life back to her just yet, but he could at least feed her and watch over her. Once they got to a safer location he’d get her more than crappy microwavable meals and make sure she had everything she needed. He’d give her the whole world if he could.

“I agree,” Skye said. “And I want to go on record as saying that I foresee him being a fit with us. If he ends up with Layla anyway. Because if he does finally pull his head out of his ass and make things official with her, he’ll stop doing hits.” Skye wasn’t sure if the man was capable of that first part, however. Some people weren’t wired to have long-term relationships.

He needed to force himself to talk, to tell her exactly how perfect she was. “I know I’ve said it before,” he said, his voice raspy and unsteady, “but you really are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” There was more he wanted to say—so much more—but everything he thought of sounded stupid. And he wasn’t a poet.

No. No, no, no. Xavier didn’t get to take up any space in her head right now. Even if she really, really wished he could see her. Because she could admit, even if this dress was out of her comfort zone, she did look kind of amazing. But no. There would be no more of that tonight. She shook off all thoughts of Xavier. She wasn’t going to let her own ridiculousness ruin tonight.

“She’s Nova’s best friend. I’ll make sure she’s taken care of.” Though the words eased something inside Xavier, they also bothered him on a level he wasn’t sure he could define. He didn’t like the thought of anyone else, especially a man, saying he would take care of Layla. But he shoved all those feelings down because they had no place in his head right now. Or ever. Layla wasn’t for him.

“Do you smell that? It’s your pants. They’re on fire.” Layla giggled at Skye’s deadpan expression. “Holy cats, you’re ridiculous. Fine, Xavier texted me to let me know he was back in town.” She’d met him a few months ago at a friend’s rehearsal dinner, and while she was attracted to him, it was very clear he was only interested in friendship.